Rain, hail or shine, Koroit's John Sheely swims in Warrnambool's ocean due to coronavirus restrictions

What started out as a means to continue his swimming after the pool closed due to coronavirus, has turned into a sort of obsession for the Koroit resident.

"I've always been ocean swimming and when pool closed due to COVID my options reduced," he said. "I have been doing at least two kilometres in my lunchtime and there have definitely been days where it's harder than others, particularly in winter.

"It's nice when the sun's out. But because of Warrnambool's weather, its often warmer in the ocean than out.

"I've found it to be a really good mental challenge."

Over the past 299 days, Mr Sheely clocked up just over 900 kilometres with his longest swim recorded 7.5 kilometres.

For his 300^th swim, he'll complete three kilometres at lunchtime and celebrate with a steak and a beer at Fishtails which sponsored Mr Sheely's first 200 swims by supplying the 200 consecutive bacon sandwiches he ate after his swims.

"I only missed swimming in the ocean once because of the wind but I did a stint at the pool," he said. "I was booked to swim in Lake Zurich (in Switzerland) in August (2020) which is a 26 kilometre swim but I'll maybe get there this year depending on restrictions.

"It's been really good for my endurance and the mental health benefits are phenomenal."

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